Author: Nargizian David

Cultural Heritage News, Iran
April 8 2007

Initial File of St. Thaddeus Church Accepted by UNESCO

St. Thaddeus Church The file of St. Thaddeus Cathedral, also known
as Qara Kelisa which was submitted to UNESCO has attracted the
approval of the experts of this international organization its
initial phase.

Tehran, 8 April 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) — The dossier of the Church
of Saint Thaddeus, locally known as Qara Kelisa in the Iranian
northwestern province of West Azarbaijan, which was prepared by
experts of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO)
in an attempt to inscribe this ancient monument in UNESCO’s list of
World Heritage Sites in 2008 has been accepted by experts of UNESCO
in the initial phase.

Qara Kelisa had previously been put up by Iran for UNESCO world
registration in 2007, however due to lack of substantial documents
including those pertaining to the value of the building and maps of
its precincts, the Organization turned down the application

Announcing this news, Mohammad Hassan Khademzadeh, head of research
centers of Iran’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization in all
Iranian provinces told CHN that the representatives of the
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will pay a
visit to this historic church to study its situation in two weeks and
then a team of UNESCO’s experts will come to Iran within a few months
in order to see the condition of Qara Kelisa and the other historical
churches in the province such as St. Stepanous Cathedral in Khoy and
Zoorzoor Church in Chaldoran as annexes to St. Thaddeus Cathedral for
being registered in list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites.

Khademzadeh believes that Iran has made a lot of effort to prepare
all required conditions for St. Thaddeus world registrations and
expressed hope that if nothing extraordinary happens, this ancient
church to be registered as the 9th Iranian historical site in list of
UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.

The Thaddeus Church, locally known as Qara Kelisa or the Black Church
is considered one of the oldest churches in the world, whose
construction began 1700 years ago. Historians believe that the Church
is the tomb of Thaddeus who is said to have been one of Christ’s
disciples who traveled to Armenia, then part of the Persian Empire,
for preaching the teachings of Christ.

Today the church is known as Qara Kelisa and belongs to the Armenian
community of Iran. It has an international reputation and hosts
annual meetings of world Armenians each year in July-August. Enjoying
special features such as antiquity, its unique architectural style,
as well as its religious importance among the world Armenians and the
rituals which are held annually in this church has made Qara Kelisa
worthy for being inscribed in list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

Soudabeh Sadigh

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RECEPTION HELD IN BEIJING ON OCCASION OF 15th ANNIVERSARY OF
ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND CHINA

BEIJING, APRIL 7, NOYAN TAPAN. Within the framework of events held in
Beijing on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of establishment of
diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the People’s
Republic of China, a reception was held on April 4 at the Chinese
People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries, with the
Armenian embassy in China being one of the organizers. According to
the RA MFA Press and Information Department, Deputy Chairman of the
Permanent Committee of the All-Chinese Assembly of People’s
Representatives Ismail Aymat, heads and representatives of other
Chinese ministries and departments attended the reception. Chiarman of
the Chinese People’s Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries
Chen Haosu spoke about the high level of cooperation between the two
friendly countries in trade, economic, cultural, scientific,
educational and other spheres, noting that this cooperation is
developing among state and government organizations, as well as among
NGOs. The Armenian ambassador to China Vasily Ghazarian pointed out
that the friendly Armenian-Chinese relations have a long history,
while today the bilateral relations are based on principles of legal
equality and mutuality, within the framework of which an efficient
political dialog is constantly being extended, and the mutally
beneficial cooperation in trade, economic, cultural, scientific,
educational, technical military assistance and other spheres is being
strengthened. The event was covered by Chinese television, Sinkhua
agency and in press releases of the mass media. The newspaper "Zhenmin
Zhibao" published the congratulatory messages of the presidents and
foreign ministers of the two countries, and the exclusive interview of
the Armenian amassador to China on the occasion of the 15th
anniversary of diplomatic relations.

*58a-tr-te #05 %000 >00 $10 &06 @06 .cn 07/04/07 17:00

LIFE BAN SLAPPED ON WEIGHTLIFTER CHAKHOYAN

Reuters
Gulf Times, Qatar
April 6 2007

SYDNEY: Former world champion weightlifter Sergo Chakhoyan has been
banned for life after a second doping offence, the Australian Sports
Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) announced yesterday.

ASADA said Chakhoyan had tested positive for the banned stimulant
benzylpiperazine (BZP) during the Commonwealth, Oceania and South
Pacific championships at Melbourne in October 2005.

Chakhoyan, 37, had previously been suspended for two years after
testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol at the 2001
Goodwill Games in Brisbane.

Under world anti-doping rules, a second offence incurs an automatic
life ban.

"This was a case where the athlete took a prohibited substance
immediately prior to or during a competition without any apparent
regard as to whether the substance was prohibited in competition,"
the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS) said in a statement released
by ASADA.

"When viewed in the totality of the circumstances and taking into
account the criteria for no fault or negligence the respondent’s
fault or negligence was significant." Chakhoyan was born in Armenia
but moved to Australia in 1997 and competed for his adopted country at
the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. He won the 85 kilogram world title in 2003.

Chakhoyan is one of four Australian weightlifters to test positive
for benzylpiperazine in the last 18 months, prompting ASADA to launch
an investigation into weightlifting in Australia.

TURKS SHUN GAS PROJECT IN GENOCIDE ROW
Carl Mortished, International Business Editor

Times Online, UK
April 6 2007

Turkey has pulled out of talks with Gaz de France over a [email protected] billion
(£3 billion) gas pipeline project in protest over a French law that
prohibits denial of the massacre of Armenians during the Ottoman
Empire.

The Nabucco project, a 3,300km pipe, which would bring central Asian
gas to Europe, is seeking support from leading gas utilities, but
the project is becoming embroiled in political difficulties.

Botas, the Turkish state pipeline company, is reported to oppose the
participation of Gaz de France because of the French Government’s
stance on the Armenian issue.

The controversial Bill, passed last year in the French parliament,
makes it a crime to deny that a genocide of Armenians took place in
Turkey during the First World War.

The row with Gaz de France occurs as the Nabucco promoters prepare
to announce an "open season" for gas buyers interested in a share of
the Nabucco gas. A slate of potential buyers is needed if the project
is to secure financing.

The Nabucco project is led by OMV, the Austrian energy group, and is
vigorously promoted by the European Commission, which wants to lessen
Europe’s reliance on Russian and Algerian gas.

The Commission is expected soon to appoint a high-level official
to promote and coordinate the project. Gaz de France would join a
consortium that, in addition to OMV, includes Hungary’s MOL, Botas,
Bulgargas and Romania’s Transgas.

Rival firms that might seek a stake in Nabucco as the sixth partner
include Total, E.ON and RWE of Germany.

Turkey has ambitions to become a hub for the collection of gas from
the Caspian and the Middle East and its onward transport to Europe.

However, the promoters of Nabucco face a greater political obstacle in
Gazprom, which has the lion’s share of the Eastern European gas market
and has voiced its strong opposition to a rival transit pipeline.

The first link in the chain is the Shah Deniz project, a pipeline
recently completed by a BP consortium that traverses the Caucasus,
bringing gas from the Caspian Sea to Erzurum, a gas hub in Eastern
Turkey.

In February Greece and Italy agreed to work together on a 212 km
pipeline across the Adriatic. Talks have also commenced between Shell,
Botas and the Iraqi Government over the export of Iraqi gas to Europe,
via Turkey. At the same time, negotiations continue between Azerbaijan
and Turkmenistan over a sub-sea pipeline that would link with gas
reserves further east.

War of words

The French National Assembly sparked a diplomatic clash with Turkey
when it approved a Bill that would make it a criminal offence to
deny that the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in 1915
amounted to genocide (Adam Sage writes).

The Bill infuriated the Government and public opinion in Turkey,
where the issue is highly sensitive and mention of the term genocide
is seen as a slight on the national honour. Feelings were already
running high after the French parliament approved an initial law in
2001, which formally described the tragedy as genocide. The Bill goes
further, threatening negationists with a year in prison and a fine
of ~@45,000 (£30,600). Although the text would have to be approved by
the National Assembly to become law, it has already damaged relations
between Ankara and Paris.

The Turkish Army, for instance, announced that it was suspending all
cooperation with the French military. Christine Lagarde, the French
Foreign Trade Minister, said that French businesses, which export
an annual total of [email protected] billion products and services to Turkey,
could be hit.

–Boundary_(ID_LuSL0ErMFsZ5w8XvLAzykg)–

IN ARAM G. SARGSIAN’S WORDS, ATTEMPT UPON LIFE OF GYUMRI MAYOR WAS COMMITTED BY "PATRONIZED GROUPINGS"

Noyan Tapan
Apr 06 2007

YEREVAN, APRIL 6, NOYAN TAPAN. It is senseless to speak about fair and
free elections in the atmosphere of arbitrariness formed in Armenia. RA
MP Aram Sargsian, Chairman of Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA),
gave assurance at the April 6 press conference. In his words, "the
guys with nicknames" having penetrated into the parliament saw that
they can also assume the role of people dictating the situation. And
the reason of all that, in the words of Democratic Party’s leader, is
the policy carried on by the figure holding the power in the country:
the very person has "beautifully" created this criminal field.

According to A. Sargsian’s observation, those committing the attempt
upon life of Gyumri Mayor are not common killers, but patronized
groupings. The MP said that if RA authorities wish they can disclose
that crime without difficulty.

S. Sargsian said that DPA proposed representatives of Council of
Europe, CIS countries, international and local organizations carrying
out observation mission that on the day of elections, May 12, the
main part of observers should permanently stay at 10-12 polling
stations chosen by them from 41 electoral districts, from opening
of electoral districts to final summing up of results and making up
of protocols. In the words of DPA leader, comparison of the received
results with the results of the polling stations left out of observers’
constant control, as well as with the results announced by CEC will
enable to receive the real picture of elections as far as possible. "We
are convinced that fulfilment of this proposal will greatly restrain
servile and sly people of every kind from the temptation of falsifying
the elections," A. Sargsian said.

In his words, if observation missions are indeed interested in holding
fair elections, they will accept that proposal. A. Sargsian also said
that in the coming days he will invite to consultation representatives
of the parties who are ready to create united headquarters for control
over the elections.

OMBUDSMAN’S ANALYSIS NOT REFLECT ACTUAL ACTIVITY OF COURTS IN ARMENIA

Arka News Agency, Armenia
April 6 2007

YEREVAN, April 6. /ARKA/. The simple analysis of statistical
information, submitted by the Armenian Ombudsman, does not reflect the
actual activity of courts, the message of the Court of Cassation says
in connection with statements made yesterday at a press conference
of Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutunyan.

"It is necessary to always take into account that courts administer
justice by means of investigation in court, implying presence of at
least two interested parties and collision of opposite interests.

Under such conditions, a court decision that resolves a dispute in
favor of one of the parties naturally evokes discontent of another
party," the message says.

Unlike other public authorities, there is always a discontent and
dissatisfied party at courts, and as a rule, the voice of this party
only reaches the public.

"For this reason, a simple statistical analysis of statements of the
persons, discontent with courts, does not represent a value in terms
of the content.

According to the statement of the Court of Cassation, courts have
never been against effective cooperation with public authorities or
public association.

"However, this cooperation may concern spheres that are outside the
frames of justice functions, and courts are known not to have specific
functions in other spheres," the statement says.

"Courts are ready to cooperate and do cooperate with different public
and non-governmental authorities. However, the courts demand observance
of the principle of independence of the judicial authority. We
pointed out with satisfaction that the profound realization of this
principle is reflected in the annual report of the Ombudsman," the
statement says.

Armenian Ombudsman Armen Harutunyan reported yesterday, in 2006
Armenian citizens complained most about the country’s judicial system
from the viewpoint of human rights protection.

He reported that the Ombudsman office received the population’s
complaints about almost all public authorities of the country, the
judicial system being the first for the number of complaints.

CATHOLICOS RECEIVES ARMENIAN AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS

Panorama.am
20:33 04/04/2007

Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin B, received today Sergey
Lavrov and Vardan Oskanyan, foreign ministers of Russia and Armenia,
St. Echmiadzin press services report.

Greeting Lavrov’s visit to Armenia, Garegin B pinpointed to
century-long friendship between Armenians and Russians. "Let us
believe that the friendship between Armenians and Russian will yield
good results for our nations. Together with All Russia Patriarch Alex
B, we will try to contribute to strengthening of these relations,"
the Catholicos said.

His holiness said he is pleased with Russia’s important involvement in
Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement. "We value friendship, partnership
and cooperation. We also highly assess the attention that Armenia
pays to Russian culture…." minister Lavrov said.

BRITISH PM CONGRATULATES SERGE SARGSYAN ON APPOINTMENT

ArmRadio.am
05.04.2007 14:55

British Prime Minister Tony Blair sent a message on 5 April to
Mr. Serge Sargsyan congratulating him on his appointment as Prime
Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the British Embassy in Armenia
informed "Radiolur."

April 5, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Website: <;

COMMEMORATION OF HOLY WEDNESDAY
LET US BELONG TO THOSE WHO LOVE JESUS
DECLARED THE PRELATE

In accordance with our church calendar, on Holy Wednesday we
commemorate the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and the anointing of His feet.

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
Holy Wednesday services at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, with the
participation of Prelacy clergy.

In his message the Prelate stated that in Jerusalem there were
those who hated Jesus and conspired with Judas against Him, while in Bethany
those who loved Jesus gathered around Him and enjoyed dinner during which
His head and feet were anointed which symbolized His burial. The people of
the day were divided into two groups, those who loved Him and those who
despised Him, said the Prelate, and posed the question of which group do we
belong to. The Prelate continued stressing that today we are granted
another opportunity to repent, to free ourselves from sin, and to belong to
the group that loves Jesus, and concluded by beseeching God to guide our
path with His Holy Spirit during Holy Week and always.

A STELLAR PERFORMANCE
by Malcolm Pein

The Daily Telegraph (LONDON)
April 3, 2007 Tuesday

THE Armenian GM Gabriel Sargissian outclassed the field at the Ruy
Lopez tournament held at Zafra, the birthplace of the Spanish priest
who invented the opening that bears his name. Sargissian took a 1.5
point lead with just a game to play and achieved tournament victory
after twice defending the Ruy Lopez and scoring successive wins with
black. He also won twice against the Queen’s Gambit Accepted with white
to finish on a remarkable 6.5/7 with second placed Julio Granda Zuniga
and former Fide champion Ruslan Ponomariov 2.5 points adrift on 4/7.

This stellar performance gained Sargissian 38 rating points, one of
the largest gains I have seen in one event in recent years and it
may even propel him into the world’s top 20 players. His tournament
rating performance was 3021 and to put this into context, the world
number one is usually rated around 2800.

G Sargissian – R Ponomariov

Magistral Ruy Lopez Zafra (5)

Queen’s Gambit Accepted

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.Bxc4 Nb6 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Be3 Be6
8.Nc3 Bc4 9.Bxc4 Nxc4 (Black neglects development in order to exchange
White’s potentially dangerous light squared bishop and establish
a strong square on d5) 10.Qb3 N6a5 11.Qc2 e6 12.Nf3 Nc6 (12…Nxe3
13.fxe3 would strengthen White’s centre and leave Black exposed on
the f file) 13.0-0 Nb4 14.Qe4 Nd5 15.Bg5 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Qd5 17.Qxd5
(Sargissian might have tried 17.Qg4 although 17…h6 18.Bh4 g5 19.Bg3

0-0-0 looks very unclear) 17…exd5 18.Nd2 Nxd2 (18…Nb6!? and if
19.f4 Na4 20.Rf3 Ba3) 19.Bxd2 f5 20.h3 Be7 21.g4 Rf8 22.Kg2 Kd7 23.Rab1
b6 24.a4 h5!? 25.gxh5 Rh8 26.h6 g5 (Also risky, gxh6 was reasonable)
27.h4 g4?! 28.f3 Rag8 29.fxg4 Rxg4+ 30.Kf3 Rhg8 (30…Bf8 to remove
the dangerous h6 pawn looks best)

31.Rg1! (Clearly overlooked by Ponomariov and suddenly he is
struggling) 31…Bxh4 (31…Rxg1 32.Rxg1 Rxg1 33.h7) 32.Rxg4 fxg4+
33.Kg2 33…Ke6 34.Rh1 Be7 35.Kg3 Kf5 36.h7 Rh8 37.Rh5+ Kg6 38.Kxg4
Bf8 39.e6 1-0

Ponomariov

Sargissian

Position after 31.Rg1!

Final scores: Sargissian

(Armenia) 6.5/7; 2-3 Granda

Zuniga (Peru), Ponomariov (Ukraine) 4/7; 4 I Sokolov (Netherlands) 4;
5 Candelario (Spain) 3.5; 6-7 Sasikiran (India), Stefanova (Bulgaria)
2.5; 8

Hou Yifan (China) 2